Murphy told the Irish Examiner: “We expected a great demand when the IEC programme opened but in truth, the numbers are staggering.”

Ruari Spillane, founder of Moving2Canada.com, said the increase was likely down to the abolition of the habitual residency rule, which allows Irish people living around the world to apply for the one year visa to Canada.

“In addition, the majority of people that arrived in Canada last year are extending their visa to give them an additional two years in Canada,” he said.